Identification marker



Sept. 26, 1933. Q L RElTER 1,928,211

IDENTIFICATION MARKER Filed March l, 1933 ENTOR- am/ J. I/efter fbx/Tm Patented Sept. 26, 1933 IDENTIFICATION MARKER Daniel I. Reiter, New York, N. Y.

Application March 1, 1933. Serial No. 659,046

" 1s`c1aims. (ci. ro- 143) This invention relates to identification markers, and particularly, to that type which comprises an anchor member or supporting base provided with prongs adapted to be clenched 6 through a layer of leather or fabric for the permarient attachment of the base to a bag, belt, garment or other suitable article to which attachment of the identification marker is desired.

The anchor member in such markers is adapted to carry a, separately formed identification member bearing an identification character, such as a letter of the alphabet, a monogram, a number, a fraternal emblem, or any desired symbol. Each such identification member should be designed so thatA it may be applied to its anchor or base member by a retail merchant or sales person at the time of the sale of a bag or other article, and without the necessity for skilled operation or the use of expensive equipment.

My invention contemplates the provision of a simple, inexpensive and efficient form of anchor member, readily formed from sheet-metal, and which is adapted to serve without alteration to receive any selected identification member from a very extended series available for identi-V fication purposes such as those above mentioned.

My invention further contemplates the provision of auxiliary anchor members similar in construction to that of the permanently attached anchor members, but adapted to be attached readily, in extension of any such permanently attached anchor member, by a retail merchant, sales person, orother person having but average mechanical skill, when a customer desires to have more than one identification character upon the article purchased, as for` example, two or three initials of a name.

My invention contemplates further, the provision of an improved type of identification member adapted to be attached interchangeably upon any of the permanently attached anchor members or auxiliary anchor members, and ernbodying integrally formed means to effect such attachment easily and in a manner which prevents accidental displacement of theY identification member, but will permit intendedV removal thereof when desired. Y

My invention further contemplates the use of a single anchor member and an overlying identiiication member secured thereto, or a main anchor member with its overlying identification member, and one or more auxiliary anchor members. each with its corresponding overlying identification member, designed to be attached to meet the individual requirement of a purchaser.

The various objects of my Vinvention will be clear from the description which follows, and from the drawing, in which,

Fig. 1 is a planview of an identiiication marker embodying the invention, applied to one face of a flexible sheet, such as a Vpurse or the like,

and comprising an anchor member and an iden-Y tiiication member. Y

Fig. 2 is a similar plan view of a group of identiiication markers applied to part Aof a flexible sheet and comprising a permanently attached anchor member, two auxiliary anchor members, and three identification members, combined as provided by this invention.

Fig. 3 shows separately, in perspective, the anchor member which is to be permanently attached. I

Fig. 4 is a similar view of my new auxiliary anchor member of the standard form which I havev provided, and adapted to be applied at either side Vof the permanently attached anchor memberof Figs. 1 to 3.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section of the marker as it vappears in operative position andtaken. on the line 5--5 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are similar fragmentary detail views showing modified forms of the means for effecting attachment of the identification members to Vany of the anchor members. Y A

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary horizontal section, taken on the line 9-.9of Fig. 1.

Figs. 10, 1l and 12 are fragmentary detail views of my invention in plan, each showing a different arrangement of several identification members upon the anchor'members shown in Figs. 1 to 3.V

In the practical embodiments of my invention which I have illustrated by way of example, pronged anchor members and hooked identification members of now-preferred form are illustrated, it being intended that at least one of the anchor members be secured in place before thear.- ticle to which it is attached is finished, and that Ythe identification member be arranged in place on to the inner face of the sheet 13, being bent preferably toward each other. In Figs. 5 and 9, an inner lining comprising for example, the reinforcing sheet 14 and the silk lining 15, both of which are of conventional form. in the instance shown, and are optional, serve to finish the sheet and to complete the article, and also, to conceal the prongs 12. l

The anchor member 11 shown in Figskl and 3 is providedk with an integral marginal flange 16,

extending rearwardly at right angles to the body of the member 11 and preferably extending entirely around the periphery of the member, the angef being slotted at suitable intervals to form side recesses or slots 17 and end recesses or slots 18, for the purpose soon to be described.- The depth of the flange 16 may be varied suitably to cause the body portion 11 to be lpresented at the desired height from the sheet 13.

Said anchor memberll may be secured to the purse 12 or other article, inthe manner described, at the factory or at any timeA prior to wholesale delivery of the articles,` whatever theirL character, and it is intended that the manufacturer or wholesale dealer furnish each retailer with a suitable quantity of identification members of varied character,designed to meet the demands of fashion and according to the nature of the identification for which provision is to be made. MFor example, sets of letters of the alphabet, monograrns, mem-` bers, and/or any desired symbol or symbols may be so furnished. e

Each of the identiiicationmembers is adapted for combination interchangeably with any anchor member 11, and in pursuance of the invention, the respective identification members, herein designated generally Vby the reference numeral 19, are provided with means to permit them to be secured readily and firmly'in place by a retail dealer or by the user, so that'accidental displacementY in use Vwill be' prevented, but intended removal may be accomplished, if desired.

` As a convenient form ofV securing means, I have' provided one or more bent hook-like projections 22, 23, preferably formed integrally with the'sheet metal of the identificationl character, and s o'ldisposed as to be adapted to engage the lower margin20 of the anchor member at the lower slots`18, which are adapted to receive the 'end portions of the hooks 22 and v23. e j

Said slotsy V18 are so spaced that the letter or other identification character, for example, ythe letter L shown in Fig. 1 is heldrmly in place, cooperating with the resilient upper hook 21 for that purpose. The upper hook 21 engages the upper end 2 0 of the anchor member, and the lower hcoks 22and 23 engage the lower` end 20 thereof, the hooks 21, and the hooks 22 and 23 being separated transversely from each other at a distance suitable for each hook to select and enter one of the recesses 18 formed in the margin of the kanchor member for that purpose. l

VThe hooks 21, 22 and 23, or any suitable'hook devices at selected portions of each identification member are preferably so formed as to facilitate either a snappingengagement or av hooking action, as desired. All of said hooks oronly the set on one edge of letter or characterkmay therefore be made resilient. AOne or more ofthe retaining devices, ras for example, that designated 21, in opposed relation tothe hooks 22 vand 23, is preferably'of a structure designed to adapt it to. snap around the margin 20. Y

Various forms of the snap-fastening device 21' may be adapted to accomplish this object of the invention, and I have shown several illustrative forms or modiiications of the same in Figs. 6, '7 and 8, wherein each of the figures represents a device21 in the position shown in Fig. 1, at the top end of a letter, although a snap device, or any suitable number of such devices, constructed as in any of thesegures, may be located elsewhere upon4 the identification member. Obviously, a letter, or other character, like the letter Ivor the numeral 1, or the top of the letter L or bottom of the letter T may be formed to need only one hook 22 and/ or one snap-fastening device 21, and can be so formed. The letters illustrated throughout the drawings are of skeleton form, or outlined in metal, this being an attractive form of letter for such display purposes as those required for purses and the like, but this skeleton form is not necessarily required.

Referring more particularly to Figs. l, 5 and 6, the device 21 shown therein is preferably, as has been indicated, a snap fastening device, extending at approximately right angles to the body of the identification member 19 and having a slightly bevelled lower edge to aid in easing it by a cam-like action over the margin 20a of the member 11. The margin 20a may desirably be rounded to facilitate this application of the snap device, which -has a sufficient inclination downwardly to cause it to enter one of the end recesses 18, and to be held therein against lateral or transverse displacement. The hooks 22 and 23 at the opposite end of the identification member may be first entered into the lower recesses 18, thel upper end of said member being held away from the member 11 until said hooks are in place and said member then turned or rotated against the member l1Y about the hooks '22 and 23 as a pivot until the hook 21 snaps into place. 'Since the hooks 22 and 23 each enter one of the end recesses 18 in the bottom iiange 20 of the anchor member 11, and as these end hooks and the snap device 21 are converged relatively to each other, they cooperate in clamping the identification member firmly to the anchor member.

The complete markenas shown clearly in Fig.

1, displays its identification character L attractively in relief upon the flat base afforded by the anchor member 11, and presents a neat, attractive appearance. It is easy to clean and polish, and the anchor member is free from surface recesses likely to accumulate'dust. The spacing of the end recesses 18 is such that any letter of the alphabet provided with the hook devices 22 and 23 and the snap device 2l will be held in alignment with the anchor member, as appears clearly upon observation of the letters D-, M, and T, shown respectively in Figs. 10, ll-and 12. As already mentioned briefly, the snap hooks 21 may beof various modified forms, and in the two illustrative modifications shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. l8, I have indicated how such modifications may desirably be made.

' That shown in Figs. 'l illustrates a snap device, designated 21a, the extreme end of which is bent below the remainder thereof to form a pocket or recess into which the marginal portion 20a of the member 11 snaps, after said extreme end has passed the margin during its inward movement. It will be seen that at the completion of said movement, said extreineend is released or moves downwardly to hold the margin in the recess thus formed. Y

In Fig. 8, the projection 2lb extends at right lll() jections 25.

ber, and has are-entrant prong or finger 21e in ping it over the margin a and intoY the flange recess 18. This part 21e acts positively to resist displacement. -This form has the advantage, desirable in some applications, ofr being permanent, as it is difficult to displace,even by intention. Y `Passing now to a further feature of my invention,'I have provided auxiliary `anchor members which can be applied easily and quickly by a retail dealer or user, to furnish an,` extended base for the display of added initials of a persons name, or other identification members of any suitable I character.

These auxiliary members 24 standardized form, similar in general appearance to that of the anchor member-11 already described, and adapted to be applied in cooperation therewith, utilizing the lateral recesses 17 in the side portions of the marginalange l1.6 already mentioned in describing what maybe termed the main anchor member 11, the latter being designed preferably as a permanent fixture on the sheet 13.

To accomplish the` above aim, each auxiliary member 24 is provided with suitable lugs or-pro- Said projections extended laterally from one side of the member 24 at the same time that a flange 26 is. struck up from the body of the member 24. The lugs are so spaced relatively to each other, and extend in such a plane,

yparallel with said body that they may be readily inserted in the side recesses 17 of the main anchor member 11 by a single movement, occupying the position shown in Figs. 1 and 9.

These lugs, and Ithe flange 26, which rests against the sheet 13;parallel.with thev ang'e 16 Hof the main member, and contiguous thereto, co-

act to maintain the bodyf24 of each auxiliary anchor member iiush with the body 1l vof the main anchor` member. Inorderto secure such auxil- ,iary member in this relationship, I provide suitable means'to fasten it to the sheet 13.

As a now-preferred form of such means, I have illustrated prong fasteningv devices 27 conveniently struck up as preferably integral portions of an extension 28 of the flange 26, these prongs, as` clearly shown inFig. 4, being adapted to be skill, and can be accomplished quickly. and accu-V rately,at the time of salefof a purse or ,other` article to a retail customer, by a sales person, who can then apply to the auxiliary anchor lmember thus affixed, any selected initial .or other identificationI member in stock. Each auxiliary anchor member has recesses 18 in the end portions of its marginal flange, corresponding in function and posi-v tion to those in the margin 20 of `the main anchor member. o5

In applying` the identificationV letters, A, L, T, for example, on the anchor members 11 and 24 of Fig. 1, the sales person or other operative will insert the lower end hooks 22 and 23 of the letter A in the correspondinglyspaced slots 18 at the bottom-of the left hand auxiliary anchor member V24 and press the letter-'A against the body of that anchor member until the snap de-` vice 2l snaps over the upper margin and into the middle recess of ,the series r18 in theupper end flange 26. Then, the letter L will be `svinilgujly are preferably ofV applied" tothe mainanchormember, and the letter ATY to the righthand auxiliary member. l i

VIn this connection, it is to be noted that the auxiliary anchor members 24, being all preferably o f standard form, as alreadydescribed, and as illustrated in Fig. 4, need only be turned end for end' to permit application to one side or the other of vthe Vmain anchor member 11, so that only one type need berkept in stock to'furnish any article with oneor with two added anchor members and identification letters.

It will* also be apparent that the identification members can be provided with a snap hook at either top or bottom, as shown in the case of the letter 'f"I, which has a pair of snap devices 21 at its top, and hook-on hooks22 and 23 VVat-its lower'cnd. Ofcourse, both of the retaining de vices may be of the snap variety, and this need notbe described in detail. f

The letters may be applied in different groupy ings, as illustrated in Figs. l0, 1l and 12, simply by inserting the lugs 25 of the auxiliary anchor members 24 in the proper side recesses 17 of the main anchor member. l

I contemplate the provision of auxiliary anchor members in addition to those shown, to any extent which may prove desirable, itA being only necessary for this purpose toprovide the flanges 26'with lateral recesses such as shown at 1'1: in Fig. 4.

' It will be readily understood from the foref going specification that in carrying the same into; effect, as described, I have provided means forsecuring identification members to a flexible sheet or article, whereby a base is first secured to the sheet, and a character member is then attached4 to the base by first hooking the members togetherv at one end, and then by a single movement, swing.- ing the identification member into its nal posi.- tion without the necessity for bending down lugs or ,clamping acts of any kind. My new device may be usedl to secure any number of characters, in varied relation by interlocking auxiliary base members therewith and attaching a character to each base member.

By vfull utilization of the invention, therefore,

it is possibleto fabricate, at relatively low expense for materials, and without highly skilled labor, an equipment comprisingidentification markers including a multiplicity of main anchor members and readily interlocked auxiliary. an.- chor members, with a multiplicity of identiflca' tion memberaeach. marker, when applied, being, displayed inA securely attached position upon a purse or other article, and presenting an attractive appearance.- l Y i While I have shown and described certain spel. cific forms of my invention, I do not intend vto beunderstood as limiting myself thereto, but desire-to claimimy invention as broadly asis permissible in View of the state of the prior art and-` the terms of the appended claims. y

I claim: Y v

1. The combination with aexible sheet, of an anchor member secured to the sheet, an identification character having a plurality of spaced laterally extending projections,A certain of said projections being adapted to be engaged reten-` tively with the marginal portion of said anchor member, at least one of said projections being yieldable and adapted to Vsnap resiliently into` anchored position. I

v2. In a marker, an anchor member provided with-attaching means-whereby it maybe secured to a; flexible support,-and;,having an anchorageA 5l symbol, having marginal means Vfor securing thev margin, and an identification member adapted to be assembled with saidanchor member and having a plurality of laterally projectingv bent retaining hooks for engagement with said anchorage margin, at leastone ofsaid retaining hooks being formed to be hooked on said anchorage margin byw a relative lateral `sliding movement of said members, and another of said retaining hooks being resilient to -snap past said anchorage margin when said members are pressed together.

3. In a marker, an anchor member provided with bendable attaching means whereby it'may be securedto a support, and havinga marginal flange provided with anchorage recesses, and an identification member adapted to be assembled with said anchor member, said identification member. having a plurality of spaced hooks adapted to enter correspondingly spaced anchorage recesses in the flange of said anchor member, at least one of said hooks being adapted to be snapped past a marginal anchorage recess of said flange at a region oppositely disposed with respect to others of said hooks.

4. In a marker, an anchor member formed of sheet material and having a body portion terminating in a marginal flange extending rearwardly intopostion to; engage a support and provided with spacedr anchorage recesses, said anchor member having prongs adapted to transflx the material of the support and to be clenched thereto, and an identification member comprising'a letter or like identification character provided at one end with a laterally extending hook adapted to be hooked into an anchorage recess, said character having at its other end a resilient projection adapted to be snapped into an anchorage recess in the marginal flange at thecorresponding end of said anchor member. l

5. The combination with a flexible non-metallic member, of a metallic'anchor member having marginal flanges, an identification member comprising a sheet metal character in the vform of a letter of the alphabet or like symbol,.marginal i means on the identification member for removably securing the identification member to the flanges of the anchor. member, and means for securing the anchor member to the# lflexible havingmarginal meansv for attachment to a flexible non-metallic support, of an identification member comprising a sheet metal character in the form of a letter of the alphabet or like identification member to the anchor member.V

7. The combination with a flexible non-metallic support, of an anchorage member secured to the support, and an identification member comprisment.

8. The combination with a flexible non-metallic support, of a sheet metal lsupporting vmember secured to the support and adapted to serveas' abase for anf'identiflcation member, and an identiflcation member comprising a flat sheet metal body portion shaped to form a symbol and Vhaving atone endfa hooky extending rearwardly from the plane of the body portion land radapted to be hooked about the; edge-ofthe cooperating sheetmetal' supporting member, said body portion hav'- ing at its other end a snap-fastening device comprising an extension projecting rearwardly from the body portion and convergently with respect to/said hook, and being adapted to engage yieldingly a marginal portion of Asaid sheet metal supporting member opposite to that engaged by said hook, and to act in cooperation with said hook to embrace said supporting member.

9. An identification marker comprising a supporting member having laterally extending marginal flanges, an identification member comprising a sheet metal symbol, fastener means integral with and projecting rearwardlyfrom the identification member at the ends thereof and adapted to assume a position rearwardly of the rear face of the supporting member to resist positively displacement of said identification member from said supporting member, and rearwardly projecting prongs on the supporting member for securing the supporting member to a flexible article and thereby to secure identificationfmember to the article.

10. In an identification marker, an anchor member formed of sheet metal, a rearwardly directed marginal flange provided with anchorage recesses projecting from and integral with said member, and an identification member having opposed hooks, at least one of which is'resilient and adapted respectively to embrace opposite marginal portions of said anchor member, each ofr said hooks entering a recess in the contiguous portion of said flange, transverse displacement of said identication memberv relatively to the anchor member being prevented by engagement of the hooks with the Walls of the corresponding recesses and bodily relative displacement of the members'being resisted by the frictional engagement of said hooks with the contiguous portion of said anchor member.

Y l1. A marker equipment comprising a multiplicity of similar anchor members formed respectively, of sheet metal and each provided with an elongated body portion having integral marginal anchorage flanges and attaching means, and a multiplicity of identification members each f comprising a letter of the alphabet or like symbol formedoflsheet metal and provided With laterally extending end hooks, said identiflcation members being mutually' vinterchangeable throughout each'. series, by the engagement ofeach hook, with said anchorage flanges.

' 12. In a marker, a main anchor member having means for attachment to a supporting article and adapted to serve as a base for an identification member, and a separately formed auxiliary anchor member having means for attachment to said supporting article and to the main anchor member, and adapted to serve as a base for another identification member, adjacent to, and in extension of, said main anchor member.

, 13. In a marker, a main anchor member having means for attachment to a supporting article and adapted to serve as a base for an identification member, and a separately formed auxiliaryv anchor member having means for attachment to said supporting article, and adapted to serve asV a base for another identification member, adjacent to, and in extension of, said main anchor member, said main and auxiliary anchor members being respectivelyprovided with mutually interconnecting means to maintain said members in assembled relation, and each of said mem-y bers having marginal flanges adapted for retentive engagement with any of a multiplicity of similar identification members.

14. In a marker, a main anchor member having means for attachment to a supporting article and adapted to serve as a base for an identification member, said main anchor member having a marginal ilange provided with a series of recesses adapted to receive corresponding lugs upon an auxiliary anchor member.

15. In a marker, a main anchor member of a single piece of sheet metal having a marginal ange provided with a series of recesses adapted to receive corresponding lugs upon an auxiliary anchor member, and disposed at either side of said main anchor member.

16. In a marker, a main anchor member having a marginal flange provided with a recess, and an auxiliary anchor member provided with a transversely extending connecting lug entering said flange recess, said auxiliary member being adapted to serve as an extension base for an added identication member.

17. An auxiliary anchor member, for use in an identication marker, provided with a main recessed anchorage member adapted to serve as a base for an identification member, said auxiliary anchor member comprising a body portion adapted to serve as a base for an identification member in addition to that supported von said main anchor member, and lugs extending from said auxiliary anchor member and suitably spaced to enter selectively any of the recesses of said main anchor member, whereby said auxiliary member is connectable to said main anchor member in a variety of positions to permit display of a plurality of identification members in correspondingly varied groupings.

18. In a marker, an anchor member provided with marginal recesses, means for securing the member to a sheet, and an identification member provided with projections adapted to enter the' DANIEL I. REITER. 

